Brewhouse & Kitchen reports 79% like-for-like growth in invested estate: Brewpub group Brewhouse & Kitchen has reported a successful start to its financial year, with 79% like-for-like growth in its invested estate and 17% growth in its uninvested estate in its First Quarter to December 2015. The company said the results demonstrated the continued shift in consumer attitudes to pubs that offered a “genuine and authentic experience of brewing on-site”. Each pub carries a range of 22 draught beers, of which at least six will have been brewed on-site. Brewhouse & Kitchen’s also revealed its own brewed volumes now account for 40-60% of all draught sales, while fresh food also continues to grow, with the sales mix moving from 32% to 36%. Chairman Kris Gumbrell said: “We came into this year confident that our offer was right for the market and we have been rewarded by strong growth across our business, in revenue, sites and guest awareness.” Brewhouse & Kitchen started the year with three sites, plus three unbranded pubs, but the conversion of these units plus the opening of venues in Gloucester Quays, Southampton and Sutton Coldfield, has taken it to nine outlets, with two further venues in Bournemouth and Southbourne to open in the first half of the financial year. Managing director Simon Bunn said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to triple the size of the branded group in a year.” 

 

Government scheme to provide restaurants with ‘doggy bag’ boxes to cut down on food waste launches in Scotland: A government scheme that provides restaurants with “doggy bag” boxes in an effort to cut down on food waste has been launched in Scotland. The Good to Go initiative, managed by Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), follows a successful pilot scheme in 2014 that trialled the new boxes in a bid to end the “stigma” associated with asking for a “doggy bag”, and saw an average 42% reduction in food waste across participating restaurants. Restaurateurs are being urged to sign up to the initiative, which provides free Good to Go boxes for leftovers. According to ZWS, two-fifths of diners say they are too embarrassed to ask restaurant staff for a “doggy bag”, yet three-quarters of those surveyed stated they would welcome being offered the option. The 2014 pilot scheme ran in 16 restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Irvine and East Kilbride, with over 1,400 containers being given out over the eight-week trial. Of those diners who took their food home with them during the trial, 92% stated they later ate the leftovers. ZWS calculates if restaurants across Scotland adopted the scheme, it could save “almost 800,000 full meals” from going to waste every year. ZWS food waste campaigns manager Ylva Haglund told Resource: “Good to Go is designed to make the action of asking for a ‘doggy bag’ a regular restaurant request in Scotland – as regular as asking for the bill.” Environment secretary Richard Lochhead added: “The successful Good to Go pilot showed that there’s a real appetite throughout Scotland to reduce restaurant food waste and save money by removing the perceived uncertainty or embarrassment surrounding the process of making the ‘doggy bag’ request.” A similar scheme is now operating in France.

 

Aldi launches online wine shop: Discount supermarket Aldi has launched an online wine shop in the UK. It includes both its in-store range and internet exclusives as it seeks to be more competitive in the wine retail sector, with the retailer offering home delivery for the first time to UK shoppers. More than 90 wines are available online and customers are able to choose a case of six wines or order a ready-mixed case from a selection of regions. In the UK, discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl have been increasing in popularity over the past few years and have begun expanding from food sales to wine. Aldi is one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK and is now the country’s sixth largest supermarket. One in every 13 bottles of wine purchased in the UK is already from Aldi. The retailer said its online exclusive offers would include a Central Victoria Shiraz and a Châteauneuf du Pape, which it said uses all 13 of the appellation’s permitted grape varieties. There will also be existing strong sellers, such as the Veuve Monsigny No. 3 Rosé Brut Champagne that was commended at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2015. Matthew Barnes, chief executive of Aldi UK, said: “We regularly receive feedback from customers who are astonished by the outstanding quality of our wines. E-commerce will open up this wine range to those who, until we complete our store expansion plans, may not necessarily live near an Aldi store.”

 

Cheltenham may abandon Late Night Levy: Cheltenham Borough Council may look to abandon its Late Night Levy by 31 March 2017 if a Business Improvement District (BID) is successfully implemented, law firm Poppleston Allen has reported. Voting for the BID is likely to take place in September this year. The election of a BID is by way of ballot by businesses within the area. If the BID is successful the council will consider ending the Late Night Levy, but this will have to be undertaken by way of consultation.

 

Winnow start-up aimed at curbing food waste raises £2.3m for expansion: Winnow, a London-based start-up whose technology promises to halve food waste in commercial kitchens, has raised £2.3m to fund expansion. Winnow provides an electronic scale, which reports on how much produce is being wasted and its cost to the operation. Winnow has installed its smart food waste meter in 200 kitchens, including the Winchester branch of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Canteen. Marc Zornes, who co-founded Winnow in May 2013, said the funding would be used to improve software and help the company grow – Winnow employs 15 staff but will expand to 20 in the next few months. He added: “I came to see the extent to which food waste is an enormous economic opportunity as well as an opportunity from an environmental perspective.” 

 

Role of JD Wetherspoon pub in new Brad Pitt movie revealed: An investor played by Brad Pitt in new movie The Big Short made $79m from the 2007 financial crash – using free Wi-Fi in a JD Wetherspoon pub in Devon. US businessman Ben Hockett spent four days of his family holiday making a fortune in a quiet corner of the Powder Monkey – the only place he could find in Exmouth with a good internet connection. The Big Short tells the story of Cornwall Capital, a group of inexperienced hedge-fund managers who bought obscure insurance polices that acted as a bet against the banks. When the financial market began to collapse in 2007, the group was in a position to make a huge profit by selling them. However, Hockett was the only one experienced enough to complete the $79m deal. In Michael Lewis’ book, which the film is based on, he wrote: “None of the enthusiastic British drinkers seemed to mind, or even notice, the American in the corner bashing on his Bloomberg machine and talking into his cell phone from two in the afternoon until 11 at night. Cornwall Capital, started four and a half years earlier with $110,000, had just netted, from a million-dollar bet, more than $80m. They had not been the chumps at the table, the long shot had paid 80 to one, and no-one at the Powder Monkey ever asked Ben what he was up to.”

CPL Training offers ‘direct contact discounts’: CPL Training is turning its booking model on its head by offering lower prices for those who book training courses on the telephone rather than online. Most businesses now actively discourage customers from talking directly to a member of staff and offer incentives, such as cheaper prices for goods and services purchased online, to dissuade calls. While this method might be suitable for some companies, CPL Training have decided that it’s not how they want to do business. “Here at CPL we don’t simply see ourselves as being a supplier to the trade, we see ourselves as working in the hospitality sector. This industry is based around people and delivering excellence in customer service, and it’s because of this we have decided to reverse the traditional model of offering discounts for bookings made online,” said Daniel Davies, chief executive of CPL Training Group.

 

Innis & Gunn to start expanding Beer Kitchen concept with second site in Dundee, plans roll-out in UK and overseas: Brewer and retailer Innis & Gunn is to start expanding its bar and restaurant concept Beer Kitchen by opening a second site, this time in Dundee and has plans to roll-out the brand both in the UK and overseas. The company, which launched Beer Kitchen in Edinburgh last July, is opening the new 3,700 square foot site in South Tay Street. It will feature limited edition oak aged cask beers in an exposed beer cellar and two five-hectolitre tanks serving Innis & Gunn’s award-winning unpasteurised lager fresh from the brewery. Hand mixed Dundee special edition boiler-makers will be created on the bar along with the brand’s beer sampling flights. Two-litre “growlers” will give customers the option to “fill up and take out” fresh tank or cask Innis & Gunn beers to enjoy at home. The food menu will feature pub classics with a beer “flavour” alongside chopped and charred, and low and slow, style dishes, all matched to the perfect beer. Spearheaded by David Hall, previously of Edinburgh’s Tigerlily, Opal Lounge and Rick’s, the brand will continue to roll-out venues across the UK and internationally from this year, with plans for another two sites by the end of 2016. Founder and master brewer Dougal Sharp said: “Dundee is a vibrant, thriving city and with the huge redevelopment that’s happening it was always top of our list of cities to launch in as soon as we could. We want to open Dundonian drinkers’ eyes to what real beer means to us at Innis & Gunn, in our own relaxed way that’s worked really well for us at our first venue in Edinburgh. We’ve zero tolerance for second rate, tasteless beer but our bars are not about us dictating personal taste – we want our venues to change the world of beer for the better by being flag wavers for incredible, flavour packed brews, not fixated on selling ‘flash in the pan’ beers that are all beard and no trousers. It’s our no nonsense approach to quality and real flavour in our beers and food that we hope will go down well with the good folk of Dundee.”

 

Tom Aikens to expand casual restaurant and deli concept with second Dubai outlet: Celebrity chef Tom Aikens is to open his second outlet in Dubai following the success of his Pots, Pans & Boards restaurant, which opened in Jumeirah Beach Residence in October. His new venture is part of the upcoming Dubai Parks and Resorts complex, which will house several parks and a hotel. The Deli, will open in Riverland, a dining and shopping destination branded as the “gateway” to the waterfront complex. Aikens already runs branches of his casual restaurant and deli concept Tom’s Kitchen in London at Canary Wharf, Chelsea, Somerset House and St Katharine Docks, along with a site in Istanbul. He also owns two restaurants in Hong Kong. The Deli will offer pastries, cakes, salads, rustic sandwiches and fresh juices. Aikens will also co-present the Taste of Dubai event, which will close the Dubai Food Festival that runs from 10 to 12 March. Riverland is due to open in October, with 34 lease proposals signed. There will be 50-plus outlets in total.

 

Stonegate Pub Company to launch new premium bar and nightclub concept in Croydon: Stonegate Pub Company is opening a new premium bar and nightclub brand called Luna in Croydon on Friday, 29 January. With the planned opening of Westfield shopping centre and the recent closure of nearby bars, it aims to be a major part of the regeneration of the town centre and the new place to be outside of central London. Luna will have a new drinks menu featuring premium cocktails, beers, champagnes and spirits including premium vodkas from all over the world, and with no less than three VIP areas, hostesses armed with iPads will provide table service. Alan Armstrong, head of marketing for Luna, part of Stonegate Pub Company, said: “We truly believe that Luna will be the start of the revival of Croydon’s late-night economy and we hope our significant investment into the venue demonstrates our commitment to the local area, and also to our loyal customer base. Not only will Luna be a fantastic late night venue but also a luxury bar that’s ideal for a relaxing drink or two with friends – offering the best of both worlds. With many exciting events lined up throughout the year, as well as enticing drink offers to keep people coming back – we really look forward to opening our doors to the public at the end of the month.”

 

Douglas Jack – margins continue to fall at JD Wetherspoon: Numis Securities leisure analyst Douglas Jack Wetherspoon has issued a ‘Reduce’ recommendation, with a 900p price target on JD Wetherspoon shares. He said: “Margins continue to fall; another downgrade like-for-like sales rose by 3.3% in quarter two and are up 2.8% after 25 weeks, slightly ahead of our full year assumption of 2.5%. More importantly, Ebit margins fell by 50bps to 6.4% during quarter two. In half one, margins fell by 110bps, behind our full year assumption of a 70bps decline. The pace of like-for-like profit decline has slowed, but only due to softer comparables; JD Wetherspoon’s business model is still compromised in our view. Reflecting margin weakness, we have cut our forecasts by a further 4%. Like-for-like sales rose by 3.3% in quarter two, helped by easier comparables of 2.7% (versus quarter one comparables of 6.3%). Two-year like-for-like sales have slowed to 6.0% in quarter two, from 8.7% in quarter one. Unfortunately, like-for-like profits are still falling. Ebit margins fell by 50bps to 6.4% in quarter two, largely due to an 8% increase in starting hourly wage costs in August. The pace of margin decline slowed from quarter one’s 150bps fall, partly due to the company passing the anniversary of October 2014’s 5% wage increase. The company’s main KPI is to grow Ebitda/site. Historically, margin declines have been justified as a mere output on the mission to grow average cash profits. Unfortunately, like-for-like Ebitda per pub should be down over 10% in half one, although management may still achieve its objective of growing average Ebitda, but only as result of marketing 56 smaller sites for sale. During quarter two, the company opened two pubs and sold one other. Over the first 25 weeks, five pubs have opened and two were sold. Full year guidance has been cut from 15 to ten-15 openings. Management guidance for 2016E remains for 1-2% like-for-like sales growth (partially volume, hence not much growth in pricing is therefore expected) and increasing repairs and wages costs. The problem is that the company: has ‘limited room to manoeuvre’ through pricing activity; is already organised on labour scheduling; and does not want to cut staff hours. Hence, ‘profits for this year are likely to be towards the lower end of analysts’ expectations’. The shares have de-rated to 8.1x EV/Ebitda July 2016, still above the 7.5x historic average even though the company’s performance is well below its historic average in relation to like-for-like sales, falling margins, a contracting pub estate, and rising debt (despite the slowdown in expansion).”

 

New board games cafe concept to open in Richmond this month: A new board games cafe concept is set to open in Richmond, south London, on Friday, 29 January. The Library Pot in Kew Road will feature more than 200 games from classics like Cluedo and Boggle to the more risqué Cards Against Humanity, as well as offer a menu with a selection of food from across the globe. Owners Emily Knight and Rob Cormican have billed it as the “new games and brains destination for the capital”. In what it believes to be a point of difference to other board game cafes, the Library Pot encourages customers to join up with other gamers on open tables. Knight told Toy News: “It is no longer a case of roll the dice, have an argument and wait ten minutes for your go to come around again. Modern games often have simultaneous play or phrases to keep you engaged. We are really pleased with our menu. We have a range of burgers, steaks, soup and desserts plus dishes suitable for gamers, such as maki sushi, noodles and gyoza. We’d like to think of ourselves as much as a restaurant as a games cafe.”

 

£400,000 crowdfunding campaign launches to open world’s first 3D printed food cafe in Suffolk: A £400,000 crowdfunding campaign has been launched on Kickstarter to open the world’s first 3D printed food cafe in Suffolk. SCOFF3D is the brainchild of Martin Furze and the idea is to create a food cafe where customers sit at a smart table, select a treat from the wide gallery of prints and get it printed on the food. The printer can also be hired for a birthday or theme party to print pictures on the food items. Furze also aims to provide services using the printer to cater for weddings or anniversaries as well as create edible sculptures and place settings. The pitch states: “Join in and be a part of creating the first cafe, along with additional services, dedicated to 3D printed food! The funds would be used to open the first dedicated 3D printed food cafe, to provide unique catering service for various occasions and events plus to become reseller and supplier of 3D food printers. The goal as of now is to set up the foundation for the 3D food printers and then develop and branch out further.”

 

Frankie & Benny’s gets go-ahead to open at Dundee shopping centre: Frankie & Benny’s, the brand owned by The Restaurant Group, has been given the go-ahead to open at the Overgate Centre in Dundee. The company has been granted permission by the city council to convert the former WH Smith unit between Bodycare and Five Guys at the shopping centre into a restaurant. The site will feature a main and a bar area with seating for up to 145 customers, reports the Evening Telegraph. A supporting statement from commercial property agent CBRE read: “The change of use will assist in securing an occupier for this unit, which is currently vacant, and thereby it is beneficial reuse. It will also enhance daytime vitality and maintain an active street frontage within the shopping centre, which contributes to an appealing and secure shopping centre.” Frankie & Benny’s opened its first restaurant in 1995 in Leicester and now has more than 200 sites across the UK.

 

New 1,200 capacity nightclub to open in Watford: A new 1,200 capacity nightclub is set to open in Watford next week. Hydeout, in The Parade, will have three themed rooms. The club, which has branded itself the “quirkiest and unique event space in Hertfordshire”, will be open on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays with admissions starting from £5. The club will be the second in the town, and takes the place of Cameo. The opening night will take place next Friday (29 January).

15-year Greene King tied leasehold in Fitzrovia on market for £300,000: A 15-year tied leasehold on the Grafton Arms in Fitzrovia, London, with effect from 17 January 2014, has become available at the guide price of £300,000. The four-storey, Victorian-terraced Greene King pub is in Grafton Way with a rent of £48,000 a year and is being marketed by Fleurets. There are five-yearly rent reviews, with the next review in January 2019. The venue has bars on the ground and first floors and also has a trade kitchen and roof terrace, with five bedrooms for staff accommodation. The Grafton Arms is five minutes’ walk from Warren Street Tube station and is close to the University of Westminster and University of College London. 

 

Mitchells & Butlers set to open third Scottish site in Aberdeen: Mitchells & Butlers is set to open a Miller & Carter steakhouse in Aberdeen – its third in Scotland. The brand will be moving into the former Esslemont and Macintosh department store in Union Street after developer Castlecall was granted permission by city council planning officers to convert the building into a restaurant, reports the Evening Express. In a letter sent to Castlecall, Aberdeen City Council development management manager Daniel Lewis said: “The existing building has lain vacant for several years and given its derelict state, it is considered appropriate in this instance to permit a change of use to food and drink at the ground and basement floor levels, despite the policy preference for retail in this city centre location. The proposals would allow for the listed building to be brought back into use, helping to secure its future whilst also enhancing the viability and vitality of this section of Union Street.” Esslemont and Macintosh closed in May 2007 when owner Owen Owen went into administration. Miller & Carter’s other two sites in Scotland are in Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

 

Tavistock Hospitality to open newly acquired Sunderland pub tomorrow under Sonnet 43 umbrella, plans 12-strong estate: North east leisure operator Tavistock Hospitality will open its newly acquired Sunderland pub The Three Horseshoes Hotel tomorrow (Friday, 22 January). The company has invested more than £75,000 refurbishing the site, which will operate under its Sonnet 43 pub brand, which the company wants to build to a 12-strong estate. The Three Horseshoes will offer craft ales produced at its own brewery in County Durham, as well as spirits from sister distillery Poetic License, which is based at its Roker Hotel site. The new food menu is described as “modern British with a twist” and will include pub favourites and bar snacks alongside pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. In the coming months, Tavistock plans to add accommodation on the first floor to complement the pub and restaurant offering. Tavistock Hospitality managing director Mark Hird told the Sunderland Echo: “I’m pleased to be bringing the Three Horseshoes Hotel under Sonnet 43’s umbrella. It was, and still is, my aim to have 12 Sonnet 43 venues and I think this pub, with a touch of the unmistakable Tavistock charm, will be a great addition to the business.” The Three Horseshoes Hotel is the first of three new venues launching over the next six months for Tavistock. Another Sonnet 43 pub is planned to open at the end of February, with a new site located in the north west – Tavistock’s first outside the region – due to launch in the spring.

 

Amber Taverns buys Grantham pub for premium sports-orientated venue: Amber Taverns has bought a pub in Grantham, Lincolnshire, which it is set to transform into a premium sports-orientated venue. The company has acquired the former Atrium site in the High Street and is giving the building a £700,000 refurbishment ahead of a planned opening in late April, creating about 25 jobs. The premises are currently closed while planning and licensing applications are determined by South Kesteven District Council. Amber Taverns’ operations director Gary Roberts told the Lincolnshire Echo: “We aim to deliver a premium community centric public house offering a range of cask, craft, cocktails and speciality drinks appealing to an adult market. We do not do any food and do not allow children in. We will have a full sports package from Sky and BT and show a wide range of live sport from fishing to football. There will be a change of name. Nothing has been confirmed and we are open to suggestions.” The Atrium was run by former owners Fairways Investment until it went into administration. The pub was then run by LT Management on behalf of administrators FRP Advisory before the acquisition by Amber Taverns.

 

Bermondsey Pub Company steps up support for project to create new breed of entrepreneurs: Bermondsey Pub Company (BPC), the Enterprise Inns managed operation, is stepping up support for a scheme that gives young people the chance to learn entrepreneurial skills. Two BPC pubs – The St James of Bermondsey in Bermondsey and The White Lion in Amersham, Buckinghamshire – are the latest to take part in the Putting Young Minds to Work project. Pupils aged ten and 11 from four London schools are receiving funding and mentoring from the pubs as they create their own mini-businesses. Last school term, pupils from three schools partnered with two other BPC London pubs – The Duchess of Cambridge and The Sir John Balcombe. Stride Ventures, an organisation that aims to open young people’s minds to business and enterprise, runs the project. Pupils work in teams to create their own businesses, set up with a loan of up to £40. Activities include planning and pitching, product development, budgeting, and marketing. More than 200 pupils have taken part in the past year. BPC managing director Paul Harbottle said: “Our involvement underlines our commitment to business education and supporting and promoting all our people. The work we are doing now will also help pave the way for the launch of an apprenticeship scheme in 2016.”

Turtle Bay to open first north east of England site in Newcastle early next month: Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay has said it will open its first site in the north east of England in the first week of February. The company has invested £800,000 in the Newcastle city centre venue, which is taking up a unit in the £17m regenerated Co-op building in Newgate Street. The restaurant will have a central island bar and indoor “veranda-style” drinking spaces. Original “ghost” signage discovered during the site’s development has been maintained and is being blended into bespoke murals, artwork and light boxes. A spokeswoman for the company said: “Geordie pleasure seekers can expect an interior designed to capture the joy and beauty of the Caribbean, as well as the urban, fashionable nature of Newcastle itself.” The 150-cover restaurant will create 50 jobs. Turtle Bay, established by Ajith Jaya-Wickrema, who also co-founded Las Iguanas, has 22 restaurants across the UK. 

 

Admiral Taverns promotes Andy Hodgson to operations director: Admiral Taverns has promoted Andy Hodgson to operations director with immediate effect. In his new role, Hodgson will be taking over the leadership of all the operations teams across the business, reporting in to chief executive Kevin Georgel. Formerly regional operations director for the northern region, Hodgson has worked for the group for over five years in senior operations roles, having joined in 2010 from Punch Taverns. Georgel said: “Andy is a highly respected member of the operational team with many years of experience in our industry and on behalf of all of us at Admiral Taverns I would like to congratulate him on his new role. The last six years marks a transformational period for Admiral. Andy’s appointment reflects the changing shape of our business as we continue to make good progress against our strategy to develop and maintain a sustainable, well invested estate of freehold pubs at the heart of their local communities.”

 

Star Pubs & Bars undertakes two major investments with Scottish multiple operator: Heineken’s leased pub business Star Pubs & Bars has undertaken two major investments with Scottish multiple operator John O’Malley. The Antonine in Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, will undergo a £325,000 refurbishment to turn it into a family-friendly food pub renamed The Lion & Star to reopen in mid-February. Another Star-leased pub, The Malleny Arms in Balerno, near Edinburgh, will also undergo a £325,000 refurbishment this month to be completed in early April, when it will reopen as the Fig & Pheasant Bar and Kitchen. It is being repositioned to appeal to the affluent family market, couples and walkers. 25 jobs will be created at each venue. O’Malley said: “We’ve worked for many years to build a portfolio of pubs and are now rationalising these to have a business of fewer venues offering greater yields. We felt it was time to move into the higher end of the market and will achieve this with these two Star ventures.” Chris Jowsey, trading director of Star Pubs & Bars, said: “Both pubs are in great locations and have the demographics to support their repositioning.”

 

Development of Manchester landmark building to include restaurant: A £2.7m refurbishment is on the cards for the former Spring House in the heart of Manchester’s central business district at 42-44 Fountain Street. Wilton Developments acquired the seven-storey 26,000 square foot building in 2011 on behalf of an in-house client, when it was occupied by AXA Insurance. Planning permission has now been secured to redevelop the ground floor for restaurant use, to form a new glass fronted two-storey height reception with the upper six floors being refurbished to provide office space

 

Former underground public toilet converted into nightclub in London goes on market for £1m: A former underground public toilet that was converted into a nightclub in Spitalfields, London, has gone on the market for £1m. The 600 square foot site is being offered by property consultants Clarke and Lloyd as a “charming and quirky premises” and a “unique restaurant/bar in the heart of Commercial Street”, reports The Guardian. The toilet has already been converted into a nightclub, albeit with room for no more than 60 customers. Its price is more than three times higher than its value in 2000, when it was last believed to have been sold. It is located in front of Hawksmoor’s grade I-listed Christ church and opposite the market, which has been converted into an upmarket shopping destination. A previous nightclub in the disused toilet called Public Life closed in early 2012 when it had its licence revoked by Tower Hamlets Council following a drugs raid.

 

Former Bateman executive to expand micro-brewery capacity: Charnwood Brewery, the East Midlands micro-brewery started by former Batemans executive Andrew Reed and his wife Andrea, has celebrated its first anniversary by installing a new fermenter, which will increase brewing capacity by 33%. Andrew Reed told Propel: “Our first year has exceeded our expectations, we have brewed to capacity in 2015 with our two permanent brands, Salvation and Vixen, becoming well seeded in the local area. A high point of the year was winning gold at the SIBA Midlands Beer Competition for our American pale ale. We had a very strong quarter four with increased sales in the brewery shop and taproom. Take home and retail sales have made up 15% of the volume, but 24% of the revenue. The plans for 2016 are to further improve local free trade and the retail business.”

 

JD Wetherspoon to close former Chicago Rock site in Newport at end of month: JD Wetherspoon’s The William Coppin in Newport on the Isle of Wight is set to close at the end of the month. The pub, known locally as “Lloyd’s”, previously announced it would close as soon as a buyer was found. However, this week it has been confirmed the doors will close on Sunday, 31 January but the unit in Coppins Bridge will remain empty for the time being. It is currently unknown if a new buyer has been found and if so, who. A spokesperson said last July the closure is a commercial decision and no jobs would be lost with staff being offered alternative positions at sister pubs The Man in the Moon in Newport and Fowlers & Co in Ryde. Previously the bar was operated as Chicago Rock, which closed in 2009.

Castle Rock Brewery launches real ale/wine hybrid: Castle Rock Brewery has created its first beer and wine fusion brew. The brew, called New Era, is the latest from Dan Gilliland in his series of one-off “traffic street specials”. Gilliland said the brew is based on a traditional pale ale with added Italian pinot grigio grape juice and champagne yeast. He added the secret was to select the right hop combination to complement the grapes. He said: “What we have now is not a beer nor a wine but something that shifts between the two. I’m really excited for people to try it for themselves. To my knowledge, this is the first time a beer-wine hybrid has gone into cask.” New Era, which Gilliland said is about 7.7% ABV, will be launched at the Canalhouse in Nottingham today (Thursday, 21 January) from 5pm. It will be available in pubs across Nottinghamshire throughout the winter.

 

Crystal Maze Experience advance tickets almost sold-out: Advance tickets to The Crystal Maze Experience attraction, based on the cult 1990s television show, are on the verge of selling out already. The attraction opens to the public on Tuesday, March 15 and will run until at least March 2018. It is housed in a 30,000 square foot space between King’s Cross and Angel in London. Advance tickets are priced £50. Co-creators Tom Lionetti-Maguire, Dean Rogers and Ben Hodges launched a crowdfunding campaign last year to create a full-scale replica of the popular Channel 4 show that ran from 1990 to 1995, raising £930,000 in four weeks. The Crystal Maze Experience, much like the show, will involve teams of eight being guided around four “zones” – Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Futuristic – by their own “quizmaster”, played by Richard O’Brien in the television series. In each zone teams will complete a series of challenges with players entering the Crystal Dome at the end to grab tokens, which can be cashed in for prizes. Speaking to Attractions Magazine, Lionetti-Maguire hinted one such prize could be a “weekend in Bournemouth”.

 

Anthony Demetre set to open new restaurant concept at Barbican Centre next month: Chef-entrepreneur Anthony Demetre is set to open a new restaurant concept at the Barbican Centre in London next month. Demetre is launching Osteria on Thursday, February 11, which will have a big focus on charcuterie and feature a meat slicer in the centre of the restaurant, reports Hot Dinners. The menu will feature sharing dishes including grilled octopus, potatoes and smoked peppers and mains such as suckling pig with sage potatoes. There will also be drinks with a twist like the Amber Negroni, which replaces the vermouth and Campari with Braulioa and Lillet. Demetre‘s other restaurants include Arbutus and Wild Honey.

 

Classic Inns celebrates the British banger with two-month festival: Stonegate Pub Company’s Classic Inns estate will celebrate the Great British sausage by hosting a festival throughout February and March. Each of Classic Inns’ 46 pubs will offer a choice of six different sausage flavours, including Scotch steak with Bombardier beer, and Westons scrumpy cider with apple. Customers can select from creamy, mustard or cheese-flavoured mash topped with red wine, ale, crispy onion or red onion gravy to accompany their bangers. Customers can also choose two flavours from the “sausage board” to be served with ciabatta and a selection of sauces. Sam Maynard, Classic Inns marketing manager, said: “Sausage and mash is such a classic British favourite and yet there are so many variations not often explored on pub menus. We wanted to celebrate the humble banger by mixing it up with all sorts of wonderful flavours, such as ale and cider.”

Full speaker programme for Propel Multi Club Conference on 16 March unveiled: The full speaker programme for the Propel Multi Club Conference on Wednesday, 16 March at Congress Hall, London, has been unveiled. Multi-site pub, restaurant and foodservice operators can book up to two free places by emailing Adam Dickinson on adam.dickinson@propelinfo.com. The conference series is the best-attended in the sector. Speakers are: Nicola Knight, analyst at insights firm Horizons, investigates the key trends in the UK foodservice market, including major menu trends, growth areas and discounting – and looks ahead to the key trends of 2016 and beyond. Adrian Blair, chief operating officer for Just Eat, provides an overview of the company’s role in the takeaway market, current key trends and future potential for operators to develop revenue. Steve Kenee, partner at investment firm Downing, talks about the firm’s long-term investment partnership with Antic London, developing an estate of more than 30 London pubs, the businesses USPs, the risks and rewards of operating near the leading edge of urban regeneration and the development of non-licenced premises. David Singleton, vice-president of hospitality for Al Tayer Group, provides an overview of the foodservice landscape in the United Arab Emirates, the brands that are winning, the potential for UK brands and his company’s approach to growing sales. Punch Taverns chief strategy director Neil Griffiths outlines the company’s evolved strategy, involving as much as £300m of investment over five years, developing operator and trading agreements, expanding its fledgling concepts and brands, taking greater control of its retail offer and realising additional value from its property portfolio. Simon King, managing director of Burger & Lobster, talks about the progress of Burger & Lobster in London and elsewhere, the unique thinking and philosophy behind the brand, sourcing quality ingredients, recruiting and training staff, evolving the offer, expanding outside of London and international prospects. Phil Sermon, managing director of Vapiano, talks about progress in the UK as well as the company’s fresh approach to recruitment, training and development of its people and interaction with its guests. David Mooney, co-founder of New Moon Pub Company, arguably the UK’s most versatile food pub operator, talks about the company’s approach at country and city pubs, its Beef and Pudding concept, New York-influenced The Bronx brand, its pizza concept Casa Matta, evolution and future plans. Roberto Morretti, managing director of Bill’s, talks to Elliotts managing director James Hacon about the brand’s USPs, trading all-day, developing a retail dimension and staying true to the brand founder’s vision. Henry Dimbleby and Jonathan Downey, co-founders of London Union, set out their progress in creating neighbourhood food markets based on experiential food discovery, crowdfunding, their plans to create the world’s greatest food market and the development of 12 London neighbourhood markets.

 

ALMR National Restaurant Association Study Tour to Chicago opens for bookings: The Propel and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) 2016 Chicago Study Tour is now open for bookings. The trip, sponsored by CPL Training and Sky, takes place between Thursday, 19 May and Monday, 23 May 2016. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) draws 58,000-plus industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries, seeking the newest innovations and up-to-the-minute information about trends and issues. The ALMR trip provides: insights from industry experts on the rise in fast-casual dining, social media, new and emerging brands, menu development, staff management and a host of other issues – with 70 free education sessions at the NRA show. It also involves two tours of Chicago’s hottest concepts and a market overview briefing sessions from US experts. Paul Charity, managing director of Propel Info, said: “The NRA show combined with our tour of Chicago is a fantastic opportunity to find fresh inspiration and understand the emerging trends shaping the fast-changing US market.” To get more information or to book, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com